Aeroplane construction.



JOSEPH A. BLONDIN, 0F. LGS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

AEROPLANE GONSTRUCTON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented sept. 25, wir.

Application led May 18, 1916. Serial No. 98,331.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH A. BLONDIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplane Constructions, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to aeroplane constructions and has for its object to provide a knock-down plane having few parts of such simple construction that it may be quickly assembled even by a novice.`

Another object of the invention is to provide an aeroplane having a more rigid entity of construction than those in common use whereby the main load carrying parts and auxiliary control parts are maintained in a more positive and liXed rigid relation to each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide struts for spacing the wings, the parts of which are integrally connected or formed in a single unit.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an aeroplane frame formed of rigid or integrally formed frame units upon which the entire structure is mounted.

Another principal object of the invention resides in the bracing ofthe frame structure i relative to the wing or plane structure by arcuate skid braces interior and exterior of the skids.-

My invention has for particular objects,

then, the provision of improved aeroplane construction, which will be superior in point of relative simplicity, and incxpensireness, organization, facility of attachment and detachment, positivenes's and permanence of form in operation, compactness, strength and durability, and which -will be sightly in appearance, and generallv superior in efficiency and serviceability.

With the above and other objects in view which will hereinafter be more fully eX- plained, l have invented the aeroplane illustrated in the accompanying drawings in whichv Figure 1 is a perspective view of my aero# plane,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view,

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view; -v

Fig. 4 is a side elevation,

Fig. 5 is a detailed elevationalview of a frame member and Fig. 6 is a similar view of a strut.

Fig. k7 is an elevational sectional view, certain parts being broken away, of a modified form of frame structure.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the following specification and in the several views in the drawings.

The aeroplane consists of a pair of vertical frames 1 and 2, upper and .lower main sustaining planes 3 and Il, a. series of struts 5, head and tail elevating planes 6 and 7, arcuate braces 8, 9, and 10, a truck 11, propeller 12, keel 13, rudder 14, a car 15 and a tail plane 16.

Of especial importance in this invention is the construction of the side frames, the struts and the arcuate skid braces. The side frames, as before stated, are two in number and each consists of a U-shaped vertical frame member 17, to the upper ends of which is secured the horizontal Outrigger frame member 18 and to the intermediate part of which is secured the lower Outrigger frame member 19, the latter extending4 forwardly as well as rearwardly of the member` 1 7 and to the opposite ends 19 and 20 of which the superposed arcuately formed brace members 21 and 22 are iXed; these members are also fixed to the member 17 at intersecting points therewith. The lower arcuate member 22 forms a skid or runner and this member is braced to the U-shaped member' 17 by means of an arcuate brace 10. Uprights 28 and 24 connect the rear parts of the rods 1S and 19 and are themselves connected by horizontal bars 25. The above described members 17 to 25 inclusive are iXedly connected and form one unit of the frame structure upon which the main phnes are mounted.

The frames of the planes 8 and i are rigidly spaced apart by means of struts or wing spacers 54 consisting of vertical bars 27 and 28 rigidly or integrally connected at the upper and lower ends by transverse bars 29 and 30 which are formed arcuate if required to conform to the arc of the lower be connected' by bolts or in' any other suitto the lower plane frame by the loop 36 `wheel 34 and 35, said axle being mounted upon said skid members and is bent upwardly at its center portion and connected in which it is vertically slidable. The ends 47', of said axle project through vertical slots 4S and 49 in the braces 3 and 8 per- '.mitting relative.movement between the axle and frame structure. Loop springs 50 are looped over the main parts 5l of the axle ends and are carried under the skids and then again looped over the outer ends 52 of said axle whereby the axle is held normally in its lowermost position in said slots 48 and 49 and will form shock absorbers when the machine alights. The elevating plane 6 is mounted upon 'the forward end of the brace member 21 and 22 and has an actuating means 37 extending into the car 15. The members 23 to 25 of the Outrigger :trame form a frame for the fabric or other `keel material 38. .The vertical rudder 14 is pivotally connected to the outrigger frame land is operated by a cable 39 from the car 15. The cable 40 operating the rear elevating plane is controlled from the ear 15, independently of the forward elevating plane 6. The main planes may be formed in right and left sections 41 and 42 which may be connected together in any suitable manner at the inner ends. Bars 43 and 44 form the frame of the upper plane members 3 and seat upon the horizontal bars 18 and 18a and are detachably lixed thereto, and the frames of the lower plane members 4 are formed of the bars 45 and 46 which seat upon the bars 19 and are detachably fixed thereto. Bars 43 to 46 are `iurther locked between the U- shaped verticals 17.

In Fig. 7 I show a slight modification of the device in which 53 and 54 are front and rear skid braces the uppermost portions of which abut and are fixed to the bars 45 and 46 and the lower ends of which are affixed to the skids 22, it being understood that outer ibraces (similar to braces 9 in Fig. 1, but wijch are not shown in the View) are arranged in the same manner, that is theyv are arranged in pairs and connect with the bars 454 and 46 and the skids 22 whereby a somewhat firmer structure is obtained.

A particular objection attaching to the construction of conventional aeroplanes 1s the method of connecting the struts or wings spacers, outriggers, and skid members or running-gear, to a base consisting of the wing structure of the aeroplane. Each of the elements in question being ,connected separately and independently, and necessitating numerous' auxiliary parts, braces, ties, wires, bolts, turnbuekles, etc., and skilled and careful labor in attaching and detaching said elements, auxiliary (parts, etc., separately and independently, and, constant supervision to insure that these numerous separate and independent elements, parts, etc., are maintained in proper juxtaposition and relative alinement.

My invention provides a system of construction whereby the wing-spacers are consolidated into pairs of front and rear vertical members connected by horizontal top and bottom stringeis, each pair forming a rigid frame attachable to and detachable from the wing-structure, in one unit; iny invention embodies the same system of frame construction in the outriggers, skids and their vertical connections whereby these several members are consolidated into right, and left, rigid frames, each attachable to and detachable from the wing and control surfaces, in one unit. This is a reversal of conventional practice, as by the provisions of my invention, these two side frames become the. bases upon which the wings, control surfaces, and running-gear are attached, instead of the wings being bases to which all other parts are separately and independently attached, a's in conventional practice.

By the provisions of my invention thetwo side frames are spaced apart and interconnected in their operative position, by the wing-strluzturcs, elevator, and tail planes, and theseI side frame units, wings, and con trol surfaces are further braced, strengthened, and consolidated into one compact machine by arcuate skid-braces, interior and Aexterior of said skids, in front and rear pairs, joining said skids to the load frame or car, and to the lower wing structure of the aeroplane, respectively. In conventional practice, no skid-braces exterior of the skids are used. In some rare cases, where guyavires are extended from outside of th'e skid tothe wing structure, theavowed purpose of said guy-wires is to neutralize the tension stresses in the lower wing strueture, rather than to stii'en the skid strueture.

' ll aving now described my invention that which I claim to be new and desire to procure by Letters Patent is l. In an air plane, a frame. upper and lower plane structures detachably mounted upon said frame, and integrally connected struts and stringers for rigidly spacing said structures.

2. In an airplane construction, consolineeoie .dated-v (right and left) vside l frame units,

composed of horizontal rear outriggers, verl tical connecting members and arcuate lacrizontal braces extending fore and ait of the wing emplacement, whereby said consolidated sideV frame units constitute bases, which support the carrying surfaces, control surfaces and runningsgear of the airplane. A

3. In an air plane, a trame, upper and lower plane structures detachably mounted upon said frame, and integrally 'connected struts and stringers for rigidly spacing said structures, and skids formed by said frame.

fl. In an air plane, a frame, upper and lower plane structures detachably mounted upon said frame., and integrally connected struts and stringers for rigidly spacing said structures, lskids formed by said frame, said frame embracing U-shaped braces.

v5. In an air plane, a frame, upper and lower plane structures detachably mounted uponsaid frame, and integrally connected struts and stringers for rigidly spacing said structures, skids formed by said frame, said frame embracing U-shaped braces, and atruck lmounted upon said skids.

6. In an airplane, a frame formed of two.

similarly formed units, plane structures detachably mounted upon said frame, said structures including upper and lower snstaining plane 'members, .means for rigidly spacing said upper and lower members, said means consisting of struts and stringers integrally connected.

7. In an airplane,a knock-down frame i formed of two similarly formed units, plane structures detachably mounted upon said Vframe, said structures including upper and lower sustaining plane members, means for rigidly spacing said upper and lower members, said means consisting otl struts and stringers integrally connected, to form a single unit.

8. In -an alrplane, a skid and base frame formed of two-similarly formed units, `plane structures detachably vmounted upon said frame, said structures including upper and lower sustaining plane members, means for rigidly spacing said upper and lower members, said means consisting ot' struts and stringers integrally connected to formA a single unit, and a truck mounted upon said skids.'

9. In an airplane, a-skid and base frame formed of two similarly formed units, plane structures dctacliably mounted upon said frame, said structures including upper and lower sustaining plane members, means for rigidly spacing said upper and lower mem bers,- said means consisting of struts and structures detachably mounted upon said trame, ,said structures including upper and" lower sustaining plane members, means for rigidly spacing said upper and lower members, said means consisting of struts and stringers integrally connected to form` a single unit, a truck mounted upon said skids, arcuate braces connecting Asaid skids and lower sustaining plane membersoutwardly of said skids. 1

l1. An airplane frame unit embracing superposed arcuate members, a steering plane frame mounted at the rear of said unit, upriglits fixed transversely oi satid unit, means rigidly connecting said steering plane frame and uprights, a longitudinal main plane frame support connected to the4 opposite ends of said arcuate members, said steering plane frame and said uprights.

12. An airplane frame unit embracing superposed arcuate members, a steerin plane frame mounted at the rear of sai unit, uprights fixed transversely of said unit, means rigidly connecting said steering plane frame and uprights, a longitudinal main plane frame support connected rtothe opposite ends of said arcuate members, said steering plane frame and said uprights, and arcuate' braces connecting certain of said arcuate members and said upriglits.

13. An airplane frame unit embracing superposed' arcuate members, one of which forms a skid, said unit bein oblong and embracing a U-shaped mem er mounted transversely thereof, a main plane frame support, a' steering lane frame, and a brace rod parallel witii said support, all of said members being in a common vertical plane.

let. superposed arcuate members, one of which for-ms a skid, said unit being oblong and embracing a U-shaped member mounted transversely thereof, a main support, a steering plane frame, a brace rod parallel with said support, all of said members being in a common vertical plane, all of said members being integrally connected.

In testimony in the presence of two witnesses.

An airplane frame unit embracing plane frame` whereof I affix my signature 

